Frame for mounting a lift device for a video display in an article of furniture

ABSTRACT

A frame for mounting a lift apparatus for a video display in an article of furniture. The frame includes an elongate upper member, an elongate lower member, an elongate connecting member, and lift mounting elements. The elongate upper member has opposite ends and a substantial mid-region. The elongate lower member extends substantially parallel to the upper elongate member and has opposite ends and a substantial mid-region. The elongate connecting member has opposite end portions affixed to the upper and lower elongate members at regions offset from the substantial mid-regions thereof. The lift mounting elements are provided on the upper and lower elongate members at the substantial mid-regions thereof for mounting a lift apparatus to the upper and lower elongate members at the substantial mid-regions thereof. The upper and lower elongate members are spaced from each other a distance sufficient to enable a lift apparatus to be passed from one side of the frame to the other and the connecting member is spaced from the substantial mid-region of the upper and lower members a distance sufficient to enable a lift apparatus to be mounted to the upper and lower elongate members at their substantial mid-regions. Other embodiments of the invention include a subassembly forming a component to be incorporated into an article of furniture containing lift apparatus for a video display and a kit for mounting a lift apparatus for a video display in an article of furniture.

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/977,789, filed Oct. 29, 2004, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/373,997, filed Feb. 25, 2003, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,243.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to lift devices for flat panel displays and, more particularly, to frames for mounting lift devices for flat panel displays in articles of furniture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Television designs are focused on low-profile devices including, but not limited to, plasma screens and LCD panels. Low-profile televisions maximize viewing area and minimize unit depth. However, designs are inherently less decorative, less physically stable, and heavier than tube-based televisions.

Aesthetic and stability deficiencies of low-profile televisions are addressed by housing the television within furniture. In such applications, the low-profile television is extended from and retracted into an article of furniture via a lift device installed in the article of furniture.

In the past, the installation of lift devices in articles of furniture increased the complexity and cost of furniture manufacture and thereby limit their application to the high-end market. Electrically powered mechanisms are generally not offered in conventional furniture since most manufacturers have neither the facilities nor the staff for the installation of wiring, couplings, and electrical components.

From time to time, lift devices require maintenance and lift devices installed in articles of furniture can be costly to replace or repair. Often the entire article of furniture must be removed from the consumer's home due to a defective lift device.

To this end, the applicant has designed a modular sub-cabinet as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,243. One embodiment of a sub-cabinet comprises a box-like structure having at least three panels perpendicularly disposed with respect to a floor panel and attached thereto and a lift device and controller within the box-like structure. The modular sub-cabinet is designed to be inserted into a cavity formed in an article of furniture.

While the modular sub-cabinet greatly simplifies and reduces the cost of installing a lift device in an article of furniture, it is still a problem to access the lift device if repair or replacement of the lift device is required. The panels of the sub-cabinet prevent access to the lift device so that the entire sub-cabinet must be removed from the article of furniture in order to reach the lift device for servicing. Furthermore, the weight and bulk of the sub-cabinet makes it expensive to ship, and substantially increases the weight of the article of furniture.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved frame for mounting a lift device in an article of furniture;

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved frame for mounting a lift device in an article of furniture that can be easily installed in an article of furniture.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved frame for mounting a lift device in an article of furniture to which a lift device can be easily mounted, removed, and replaced from the rear of the furniture.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved article of furniture containing a lift device wherein the lift device is easily accessible from the rear of the furniture for repair or replacement.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide new and improved subassemblies including a partially assembled article of furniture in which a frame for mounting a lift device is pre-installed.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved kit for a frame for mounting a lift device for a video display in an article of furniture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved method of manufacturing a plurality of articles of furniture each having a lift device for a video display.

Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, these and other objects are attained by providing a frame for mounting a lift device for a video display in an article of furniture including an elongate upper member, an elongate lower member, and an elongate connecting member interconnecting the upper and lower elongate members. The elongate upper and lower members have opposite ends and substantial mid-regions. The elongate connecting member is connected to the upper and lower elongate members at regions offset from the substantial mid-regions of the upper and lower elongate members. Lift device mounting elements are provided on the upper and lower elongate members at their substantial mid-regions for mounting a lift device to the upper and lower elongate members at their substantial mid-regions. The upper and lower elongate members are spaced from each other a distance sufficient to enable a lift device to be passed from one side of the frame to the other between the upper and lower members and the connecting member is spaced from the substantial mid-region of the upper and lower members a distance sufficient to enable the lift device to be mounted to the upper and lower elongate members at their substantial mid-regions.

A frame in accordance with the present invention provides access to the lift device from the rear of the furniture merely by removing the back panel of the article of furniture. The lift device can be easily installed into the furniture and mounted on the frame, as well as removed and serviced or replaced from the rear of the furniture. This eliminates the need to remove an entire sub-cabinet to service the lift. A further advantage is that the lightweight frame adds relatively little extra weight to the article of furniture.

In accordance with the subassembly of the invention, a frame housing the construction described above is pre-installed in a partially constructed article of furniture. Such a subassembly is advantageous in that it can be manufactured at, and shipped from, a remote location to either an ultimate consumer or to a furniture seller where the lift device can be easily mounted on the frame and the furniture completed.

The frame construction is also advantageous in that it is composed of only three distinct elements which can be provided as a kit in disassembled form. This facilitates shipping of the frame to a furniture manufacturer for subsequent installation into a partially constructed article of furniture to form the subassembly described above.

According to another feature of the present invention, a plurality of frames or frame kits in accordance with the invention may be manufactured in which the upper, lower, and connecting members of each frame or kit have the same standardized or modularized lengths as the upper, lower, and connecting members of the other frames or frame kits. This enables a plurality of partially constructed articles of furniture to be constructed with a standardized structure adapted for pre-installation of the standardized frames. This feature reduces the cost of manufacturing articles of furniture with lift devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a subassembly comprising a partially completed article of furniture in which a frame for mounting a lift device is pre-installed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a frame for mounting a lift device in an article of furniture according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 1-1 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a lift device mounted on a frame according to the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a kit for a frame according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference characters designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a subassembly, generally designated 10, in accordance with the invention comprises a partially completed article of furniture 16 incorporating a frame 12 for a lift device 14.

The partially completed article of furniture 16 includes side panels 18 that have spaced opposed inner side surfaces 20 situated in substantially parallel planes. The side panels 18 have substantially parallel rear edges 22 defining a rear plane at which a back panel will be affixed after installing the lift device 14. The side panels 18 also have substantially parallel upper edges 24 defining an upper plane. The side panels 18 may be the side of the article of furniture 16, as shown in FIG. 1, or may be internal walls within the furniture 16. The partially completed article of furniture 16 of subassembly 10 may also include a bottom panel 17 and a front panel 19.

The frame 12 includes an upper elongate member 26, a lower elongate member 28, an elongate connecting member 30, and lift mounting elements 32. These components are formed of steel although other materials, such as aluminum, may be used. The upper elongate member 26 has opposed ends 34 and a substantial mid-region 36. The upper elongate member 26 also has an upper edge surface 38 situated proximate to the upper plane defined by the upper edges 24 of the side panels 18 by a bracket 50. Each of the opposed ends 34 is affixed to an inner side surface 20 of a respective one of the side panels 18. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper elongate member 26 has a hollow rectangular-cross section. In the illustrated embodiment, an elongate member 40 formed of wood having a length coextensive with the length of the upper elongate member 26 is connected to the upper elongate member 26 for connecting a top panel 42 of the article of furniture 16 thereto via hinges 44. The elongate wooden member 40 is affixed to the upper elongate member 26 via a plurality of fasteners 41 and brackets 43. The elongate wooden member 40 has at least one hinge 44 fastened to it that pivotally connects the top panel 42 of the partially constructed article of furniture 16. The elongate wooden member 40 is advantageous because it allows the hinges 44 to be fastened to any point on its length rather than only in pre-drilled holes as would be the case with metal.

The lower elongate member 28 has opposed ends 46 and a substantial mid-region 48. The lower elongate member 28 is disposed vertically below and parallel to the upper elongate member 26. Each of the opposed ends 46 is affixed to an inner side surface 20 of a respective one of the side panels 18 by a bracket 50. The upper and lower elongate members 26 and 28 are substantially equal in length, preferably in the range of between about 40 to 64 inches, most preferably about 52 inches.

Referring now to FIG. 2, L-shaped brackets 50 are affixed to the opposite ends of the upper and lower elongate members 26 and 28 for connecting the members to respective inner side surfaces 20 of respective side panels 18 of the article of furniture 16. In one embodiment, the brackets 50 are horizontally extendable and retractable to accommodate modest variations in the length of an article of furniture 16.

The elongate connecting member 30 has opposite end portions affixed to the upper and lower members 26 and 28 at regions offset from the substantial mid-regions thereof. The ends of the elongate connecting member 30 are removably fastened to the upper and lower members 26 and 28, although one or both may be permanently connected, such as by welding. It is understood that the elongate connecting member 11 may be welded or, alternatively, detachably fastened to the upper elongate member 26.

The frame 12 is specially constructed to provide easy installation of lift device 14 onto the frame and to enable easy access to the lift device for repair or replacement. Specifically, the upper and lower elongate members 26 and 28 are spaced from each other a distance sufficient to enable a lift device 14 to be passed between the upper and lower members 26 and 28 for mounting to or removal from the substantial mid-regions of the upper and lower members 26 and 28. The distance between the upper and lower elongate members 26 and 28 is preferably in the range of between about 20 to 45 inches, most preferably about 33 inches. The distance between the upper and lower elongate members 26 and 28 may require the lift 15 to be angled as it is passed between the upper and lower members 26 and 28. The ability to pass the lift between the upper and lower elongate members 26 and 28 is an important aspect of the invention. No component of the frame 12 needs to be removed in order to remove the lift 14.

The lift device mounting elements, in the form of bolt receiving openings 32, are provided in the mid-regions of upper and lower elongate members 26 and 28, so that the lift device is mounted to the mid-regions of these members. In order to provide sufficient space to accommodate mounting the lift device at the mid-regions, the connecting member 30 is mounted at a position offset from mid-regions of the upper and lower elongate members 26 and 28.

The frame 12 also includes controller mounting elements in the form of openings 52 provided on the connecting member 30 for mounting a controller 54 (FIG. 4) for controlling the operation of the lift device 14. Additionally, the frame 12 may include wire management mounting elements in the form of openings 56 provided on the connecting member 30 for mounting a wire management system 58 to keep the wires in order and to prevent them from interfering with the operation of the lift device 14.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a temporary back panel (not shown) situated substantially in the rear plane defined by the rear edges 22 may be used to close the back side of the partially completed article of furniture 16 after the lift device 14 has been installed. The back panel is structured and arranged to be disconnected from the partially completed article of furniture 16 at the time the lift device 14 is installed on the frame.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in accordance with the invention, the components of the frame 12 are provided as a kit 60 for a frame for mounting a lift device for a television display in an article of furniture. As illustrated, the kit 60 includes an upper elongate member 26, an elongate connecting member 30, a lower elongate member 28, and a plurality of fasteners 62. The upper elongate member 26 also includes an elongate wooden member 40 and brackets 50. The lower elongate member 28 also includes brackets 50. The kit 60 can be easily and inexpensively shipped to furniture manufacturers to be incorporated within a complete piece of furniture or within a subassembly according to the present invention.

A further aspect of the invention includes providing a plurality of articles of furniture each having a lift by producing modular or standardized frames with uniform dimensions. The uniform dimensions of the frames permit a plurality of partially constructed articles of furniture to be constructed with standardized constructions to receive the frame. The plurality of partially constructed articles of furniture each having a frame for a lift device are manufactured by providing a plurality of modular frames having the same standardized dimensions, wherein the dimensions of each preassembled frame are the same as the dimensions of the other pre-assembled frames. A plurality of partially constructed articles of furniture are provided with cavities, structured and arranged to receive standard or modular frames of the standardized dimensions.

The description above indicates that a great degree of flexibility is offered in terms of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. 

1. A frame for mounting a lift apparatus for a video display in an article of furniture, comprising: an elongate upper member having opposite ends and a substantial mid-region; an elongate lower member extending substantially parallel to said upper elongate member and having opposite ends and a substantial mid-region; an elongate connecting member having opposite end portions affixed to said upper and lower elongate members at regions offset from said substantial mid-regions thereof; lift mounting elements provided on said upper and lower elongate members at said substantial mid-regions thereof for mounting a lift apparatus to said upper and lower elongate members at said substantial mid-regions thereof; said upper and lower elongate members being spaced from each other a distance sufficient to enable a lift apparatus to be passed from one side of the frame to the other; and said connecting member being spaced from said substantial mid-region of said upper and lower members a distance sufficient to enable a lift apparatus to be mounted to said upper and lower elongate members at their substantial mid-regions.
 2. The frame of claim 1, further comprising: controller mounting elements provided on said connecting member for mounting a controller for controlling the operation of a lift.
 3. The frame of claim 1, wherein said distance between said upper and lower members requires a lift to be inserted at an angle when being passed from one side of the lift to the other.
 4. The frame of claim 1, wherein said distance that said upper and lower elongate members are spaced from each other is in the range of between about 20 to 45 inches.
 5. The frame of claim 1, wherein said upper and lower elongate members are substantially equal in length.
 6. The frame of claim 5, wherein the length of said upper and lower elongate members is in the range of between about 40 to 64 inches.
 7. The frame of claim 1, wherein said distance that said upper and lower elongate members are spaced from each other is about 33 inches and the length of said upper and lower elongate members is about 52 inches.
 8. The frame of claim 1, wherein said elongate upper, lower and connecting members are formed of metallic material.
 9. The frame of claim 8, wherein an elongate member formed of wood is connected to said upper elongate member for connecting a top panel of said article of furniture thereto.
 10. The frame of claim 8, wherein said upper elongate member has a rectangular-cross section.
 11. The frame of claim 1, wherein brackets are affixed to the opposite ends of each of said upper and lower elongate members for connecting said members to side panels of the article of furniture.
 12. A subassembly forming a component to be incorporated into an article of furniture containing lift apparatus for a video display, comprising: a pair of side panels having spaced opposed inner side surfaces situated in substantially parallel planes, said planes having substantially parallel rear edges defining a rear plane; an upper elongate member having opposed ends and a substantial mid-region, each of said opposed ends affixed to an inner side surface of a respective one of said side panels, said upper elongate member having a rear surface situated proximate said rear plane; a lower elongate member situated vertically below said uhaving opposed ends and a substantial mid-region, each of said opposed ends affixed to an inner side surface of a respective one of said side panels; an elongate connecting member having opposite end portions affixed to said upper and lower members at regions offset from said substantial mid-region thereof; lift mounting elements provided on said upper and lower elongate members at said substantial mid-regions thereof for mounting lift apparatus to said upper and lower members at said substantial mid-regions thereof; said upper and lower elongate members being spaced from each other, and said connecting member being spaced from said substantial mid-regions of said upper and lower members, distances sufficient to enable a lift apparatus to be passed between said upper and lower members for mounting to said substantial mid-regions of said upper and lower members.
 13. The subassembly of claim 12, wherein said side panels comprise the sides of said article of furniture.
 14. The subassembly of claim 12, further comprising: a bottom panel comprising the bottom of said article of furniture.
 15. The subassembly of claim 12, further comprising: a front panel comprising the front of said article of furniture.
 16. The subassembly of claim 12, wherein said side panels comprise the sides of said article of furniture and wherein said subassembly further comprises a bottom panel comprising the bottom of said article of furniture and wherein said subassembly further comprises a front panel comprising the front panel of said article of furniture.
 17. The subassembly of claim 16, wherein said side panels have substantially parallel upper edges defining an upper plane and said upper elongate member has an upper edge surface situated proximate to said upper plane.
 18. The subassembly of claim 17, further comprising: a temporary back panel situated substantially in said rear plane structured and arranged to be disconnected from said sub-assembly.
 19. A kit for a frame for mounting a lift apparatus for a video display in an article of furniture, comprising: an elongate upper member having opposite ends and a substantial mid-region; an elongate lower member having opposite ends and a substantial mid-region; an elongate connecting member having opposite end portions; and lift mounting elements provided on said upper and lower elongate members at said substantial mid-regions thereof for mounting a lift apparatus to said upper and lower elongate members at said substantial mid-regions thereof.
 20. The kit of claim 19, further comprising an elongate member formed of wood.
 21. The kit of claim 19, further comprising brackets to be affixed to the opposite ends of each of said upper and lower elongate members for connecting said members to side panels of the article of furniture.
 22. A method of manufacturing a plurality of articles of furniture each having a lift, comprising the steps of: pre-assembling a plurality of modular frames having the same standardized dimensions, said frames each comprising: an elongate upper member having opposite ends and a substantial mid-region; an elongate lower member extending substantially parallel to said upper elongate member and having opposite ends and a substantial mid-region; an elongate connecting member having opposite end portions affixed to said upper and lower elongate members at regions offset from said substantial mid-regions thereof; lift mounting elements provided on said upper and lower elongate members at said substantial mid-regions thereof for mounting a lift apparatus to said upper and lower elongate members at said substantial mid-regions thereof; said upper and lower elongate members being spaced from each other a distance sufficient to enable a lift apparatus to be passed from one side of the frame to the other; and said connecting member being spaced from said substantial mid-region of said upper and lower members a distance sufficient to enable a lift apparatus to be mounted to said upper and lower elongate members at their substantial mid-regions; wherein the dimensions of each pre-assembled frame are the same as the dimensions of the other pre-assembled frames; providing a plurality of articles of furniture with cavities structured and arranged to receive modular frames of said standardized dimensions; fastening said pre-assembled modular frames within said articles of furniture; and mounting lifts on said frames, thereby forming the articles of furniture having a lift. 